Worcester: A Charming City of History
Combining fascinating history with being a thriving university city, Worcester is a popular choice of destination for both young and old travellers. Highlighted by the magnificent Worcester Cathedral, the city features a wide assortment of attractions, dining options and shops. So from wanting to learn about the origins of Worcestershire sauce to venturing through the wonderful Croome Park, there are many reasons to book a hotel and pay a visit to Worcester!
Fascinating History
Known as being the location for the Civil War’s final battle, the home of the Lea & Perrins factory that produces Worcestershire sauce, and presenting the imposing – yet stunning – Worcester Cathedral, Worcester has an interesting history. Even today, you can roam the streets of the city and view its historic influence. And even certain hotels in the city don’t avoid this heritage, and this is evidenced by the Fownes Hotel – which originated in 1877 as a glove factory! As far as major historic attractions go, the aforementioned Worcester Cathedral is the only place to start. With its building origins dating back to the 11th century, the cathedral possesses incredible architecture and antiquity at every turn. Croome Park, where its visitor centre was previously a secret wartime air base, is another recommended place to visit, while the commended Hanbury Hall is a picturesque stately home from the 18th century. And if history is your thing, further points of interest include the Museum of Royal Worcester, Elgar Birthplace Museum and Worcester Guildhall.
A Varied Demographic
Although it does boast a rich heritage that makes it a great place to visit for history buffs, Worcester also offers plenty of other things that will draw the attention of other demographics. Firstly, the acclaimed University of Worcester ensures that there is a healthy student population residing in the city. And somewhat in relation to this, the city also benefits from an exciting nightlife scene, ensuring you can party until the early hours or simply unwind with a late night drink. For the sport enthusiast, the Barnards Green Cricket Club, Worcester Racecourse and Sixways Stadium – the latter of which being the home of the local rugby club – are venues all worth exploring. In addition, younger visitors to the city are also not left out of the fun. This is perhaps best evidenced by The Great Maize Maze, which is a unique attraction that provides the challenge of trying to successfully navigating a ten acre maize field.
Shopping in Style
If purchasing treats and gifts is something you enjoy doing when travelling, Worcester is more than adequately set-up when it comes to this aspect. With that in mind, your first port of call should be the CrownGate Shopping Centre. Positioned in the heart of the city, this shopping centre contains an exciting range of high street retailers. Speaking of well-known retailers, the streets of Worcester are further populated by an abundance of popular chains, while these are interspersed by numerous boutique stores that offer an extra level of independent flavour. Shopping in the city is not just restricted to brick-and-mortar establishments, either. Traditional markets are a regular fixture of Worcester, with the general markets – which feature an eclectic mix of goods and food items – taking place on multiple days throughout the week. During certain times, specialist markets such as a vintage-themed one and the annual Victorian Christmas Fayre are also a part of the Worchester calendar.
Food for All
When visiting Worcester, you don’t have to worry about finding a place to find an unforgettable meal. This is because the city provides a wide array of restaurants that will match whatever taste and budget you require. Fancy a cheap yet tasty lunch? Well you can grab a delicious portion of fried goodness from either Ambleside Fish Bar or Donnelly’s Fish & Chip Shop, while Cafe Afloat – uniquely situated on a narrow boat – and Time to Eat are both a shining example of what a quintessential English café is all about. Although for something that extra bit glamourous and sophisticated, Worcester supplies a strong amount of refined, diverse and highly regarded restaurants. For a small sample of examples, Galleria Italiana serves traditional Italian cuisine within a cosy setting, The Olive Branch specialises in Mediterranean delicacies, and Saffrons Bistro has been a Worcester institution that provides a varied menu in an informal setting. Oh, and don’t forget about those traditional pubs that offer meals, with the Blue Bell and King Charles II being popular options with both locals and visitors.